Tennessee Glaucoma Surgery

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Glaucoma Surgery in Tennessee - Different Types of Glaucoma Surgery in Tennessee

Glaucoma defines a group of diseases that lead to blindness. It is usually (but not always) associated with an increase in pressure within the eye due to excess fluid build up. Though glaucoma can affect people at any age, it is much more common in older adults. With the most common type of the condition, open-angle glaucoma, there are no noticeable symptoms. In fact, it is referred to as the "silent thief of sight". The second type, closed angle glaucoma, can be much more sudden and severe from the onset. Experts estimate that over 2.2 million people in America have glaucoma. However, only half of those people are aware of their condition. If you are in need of glaucoma surgery in Tennessee, it can be very empowering to understand the types of glaucoma and the surgeries used to treat them.

There is no cure for glaucoma. Therefore, glaucoma surgery in Tennessee is designed to prevent further loss of sight, rather than get rid of glaucoma entirely. Glaucoma surgery was once highly dangerous and very invasive, but modern surgical techniques have made it safer and less invasive than ever before. There are a number of surgeries which can be used, but only four which are really common: sclerostomy, laser trabeculoplasty, iridotomy, and viscocanalostomy.

Sclerostomy surgery for glaucoma is when the surgeon creates a channel in the eye to drain excess fluid. There are two types of sclerostomy: penetrating (passing through the anterior chamber) and non-penetrating (channel does not penetrate the anterior chamber). Laser trabeculoplasty is a type of glaucoma surgery in Tennessee that involves altering the Trabecular mesh. This is just below the iris and can get blocked, which restricts the flow of aqueous humor. Using a laser to burn through blockages and portions of the mesh relieves the pressure from accumulated liquid.

Iridotomy is similar to laser trabeculoplasty. However, blockages are removed from the iris instead of the trabecular mesh. Tiny holes can be created in the iris to relieve pressure using either a traditional blade or lasers. This kind of glaucoma surgery in Tennessee is used most in closed angle glaucoma patients. In Viscocanalostomy surgery, the surgeon creates a flap, which opens up Schlemm's canal to allow fluid to flow more freely. Since glaucoma surgery is deemed medically necessary, it is normally covered in part by health insurance policies, both private and Medicare. This can lower the price to well under a thousand dollars, depending on specific policy coverage.